06.12.2025 07:30
While the theft of 75 kilograms of gold and silver from the judicial custody office of the Istanbul Büyükçekmece Courthouse is being evaluated as an organized robbery, it has emerged that the suspect, Erdal Timurtaş, took advantage of the increased inspection activity on November 13 to carry out the theft.
The 75 kilograms of gold and silver that went missing from the Istanbul Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's custody office is considered to be part of an organized robbery.
WHY DID THE FUGITIVE OFFICIAL CHOOSE NOVEMBER 13?
According to a report by NTV, a red notice has been requested for court employee Erdal Timurtaş, who has been identified as having fled to England with his family. It was stated that the suspect chose to carry out the robbery on November 13 to take advantage of the crowd at the courthouse due to the quarterly arms delivery to the Ministry of National Defense on that day.
CAMERAS RECORDED THE MOMENTS OF TRANSPORTING WITH A SHOPPING CART
Security camera footage revealed that Timurtaş loaded a shopping cart filled with black bags into his vehicle in the courthouse parking lot without attracting anyone's attention.
HSK ASSIGNED INSPECTORS
The Judges and Prosecutors Council sent inspectors to the Büyükçekmece Courthouse. It was determined that the claims regarding an investigation being opened against Prosecutor Yavuz Engin were not true.
DOUBLE KEY SYSTEM
It was learned that the safe key in the custody room was only held by Kemal D., an official who has been working in the office for many years. It was recorded that the key to the room was held by both Kemal D. and Erdal Timurtaş. The key system, which was under the authority of Timurtaş, who worked as a service staff, was controlled through inspections conducted every two months. The last inspection was reported to have taken place on October 2.
It was stated that a large portion of the missing valuables were items taken into custody during an operation conducted in recent months, along with evidence from different cases.
STATEMENT OF ARRESTED KEMAL D.: HE HAD GAMBLING DEBTS
Arrested suspect Kemal D. stated in his testimony that Erdal Timurtaş had a gambling habit and was in a difficult situation due to his debts. Kemal D. mentioned that Timurtaş did not submit the report he received during his sick leave to the courthouse and noted that shortly before December 1, the suspect sent a message to the group of employees saying, "I am having problems with my wife, please do not contact me," before leaving the group.
MESSAGE: "I SOLD THE ITEMS, DO NOT CONTACT ME"
Kemal D. expressed his concern that Timurtaş might attempt suicide, which is why he sent an official to his home. After the officials visited his home, Timurtaş reportedly video-called to say he was fine. On December 1, he sent a message to the group saying, "I sold the house and the items, do not contact me."
Kemal D. was arrested by the court and sent to prison.
147 MILLION LIRA LOSS
In the detailed count conducted in the judicial custody, it was determined that 9,906 grams of gold, 49 reşat gold coins, 438 necklaces, 66 grams of earrings, 5 kilograms of gold bars, 7 gold medals, 167 full gold coins, 606 bracelets, 1,477 grams of bracelets, 376 half gold coins, 1,328 quarter gold coins, 40 Republic gold coins, 2,701 grams of various jewelry, 487 Ata gold coins, 6 grams of gold, and 50 kilograms of silver were missing. According to the calculations made, the total value of the stolen gold and silver is approximately 147 million lira.